Relation of common allelic variation at vitamin D receptor locus to bone mineral density and postmenopausal bone loss: cross sectional and longitudinal population study

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Objective: To determine whether common allelic variation at the vitamin D receptor locus is related to bone mineral density and postmenopausal bone loss. Design: Cross sectional and longitudinal population study. Setting: Outpatient clinic in research centre. Subjects: 599 healthy women aged 27 to 72 and 125 women with low bone mass aged 55-77 had bone mineral density measured once in the cross sectional study. 136 women aged 45-54 were followed up for 18 years in the longitudinal study. Main outcome measures: Bone mineral density measured at the lumbar spine, hip, and forearm and rate of bone loss at different times over 18 years in relation to vitamin D receptor genotype as defined by the endonucleases ApaI, BsmI, and TaqI. Results: Vitamin D receptor genotype was not related to bone mineral density at any site. The maximum difference between homozygotes was 1.3% (P = 0.33, n = 723). Women with low bone mineral density had almost the same genotype frequencies as the women with normal bone mineral densities. Vitamin D receptor genotype was not related to early postmenopausal bone loss from age 51 to 53 (mean (SD) total loss at the lower forearm -3.6% (3.6%)), late postmenopausal bone loss from age 63 to 69 (at the hip -6.2% (8.7%)), or to long term postmenopausal loss from age 51 to 69 (at the lower forearm -24.5% (11.4%)). Conclusion: Common allelic variation at the vitamin D receptor locus as defined by the endonucleases ApaI, BsmI, and TaqI is related neither to bone mineral density nor to the rate of bone loss in healthy postmenopausal Danish women. Twin studies show a strong genetic component in the development of osteoporosis Finding a genetic marker for this disease would be important in identifying patients who could benefit from preventive treatment This study found that the vitamin D receptor genotypes previously suggested as accounting for up to 75% of the genetic effect on bone density did not affect bone mineral density in postmenopausal women Vitamin D receptor genotype is not related to postmenopausal bone loss